Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My prediction is that ECNL is coming for the rest of GA
NEFC, Tophat, Lou Fusz, Cincinnati United
Maybe, this is only negative for GA if they don't replace IMO. Record shows they have replaced more than they have lost. If more GA clubs want to abandon ship, I don't see it as an obvious negative, more like clubs prioritizing how they want to be seen in the marketplace. ECNL is synomous with winning at all costs so that you can be seen by college coaches. GA is synomous with development at all costs so that girls can identify best options after HS, even if it means losing some notable clubs that are feeling pressure in their markets to win now. Don't think there is much to this continuos debate: One is bigger and attracts top playes to top teams, the other has a bigger vision for girls soccer as a whole and has some competitive teams. Pick the one that aligns with your values and goals.
I'm not sure how you don't see losing top clubs and just replacing them is not a bad thing? It's not just a numbers game. If the GA wants to remain a player in, let alone relevant in, college recruiting, they need to put a good product on the field which attracts the college coaches. If not, they will slowly fade into a second tier league and join the ranks of the many others out there.
It's not a bad thing, time will tell if its actually a good thing for GA. Grassroots development is how every other country does it and that appears to the direction they want to distinguish themselves with. In the US its the fight for college value and prestige, that is so moronic to soccer people outside of the US. Perception wise with parents GA is already 2nd tier, good thing parents pereceptions don't impact college coaches or socuts at all. Educated soccer consumers know there is room for several leagues. Coaches and scouts know to look beyond ECNL events for players, and they know they will always have to becasue all leagues are flawed in their own way, and team quality vary from year to year even
Perception is reality in this case. GA IS is a 2nd tier league.
Tell me that you're daughter is u13 without telling me she just made an ECNL club and you're excited about it.
The youth soccer landscape changes all the time. Ten years ago girls ECNL was on the ropes against DA. Ten years before that ECNL didn't exist.
My money is on US Soccer creating DA 2.0. The same people are still in charge and I'm sure they aren't happy how DA blew up. The MLS Next model has been proven successful and likely could be implemented with women now that NWSL is taking off.
Also with all the NCAA lawsuit drama going on right now a single verdict could force all kinds of schools to drop women's soccer programs. What would happen to girls ECNL then?